Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-07-22
SCIENTIFIC REASONING,
Il Series of lectures Delivered Be-
fore the Syracuse Lodge of
Cool TeinpIars.
BY DIR. A. M. ErDIsoN, OF TOPEKA.

BY DIR. A. NJ. ElDlSON, Ot IOiEhhs
ALCOHOL-The Seductive Demon OF In |
Temperance, and the Various Liquids
Containing il Viewed from a Scientific |
Professional Standpoint.
First-We will consider their merits and
demerits, or their influence on the system,
as a supposed medicine or a beverage.
We find that the alcohol is produced by
the chemical change which sugar under
goes in passing from its natural to its
dead condition, or when saccharine liquids
are excited by iermenting, alcohol will be
produced at certain stage OF the fer-
menlation, but II the fermentation Is per-
milted 10 continue beyond this point,
acetic acid will be found therefore alco.
hol is not natural product but always
| the result OF fermentation and destruction.
Although alcohol may result from spon-
taneous changes, the aid OF man is re-
qnired TO form the various liquids con-
tanning ii, if the skill of man did not
thhs interfere with the natural changes
which liquids containing sugar spontane-
ously undergoes, alcohol would not be 70
harmful as it is. When 1 entered the
medical profession alcohol was indiscrim-
inaiely used by many physicians, almost
US cure-nll. was taught to believe IL
was a medicine, and during my first few
years of practice, prescribed it. in season
and out of season, believing 1t was slim
ulant and thinking the majority OF cases
needed stimulation. After going on in
tins way for two or three years; but all
the time watching and noting the action
of the so-called stimulants-such Rs whiE-
ky, brandy, gin, rum, wine, ale, beer and
not as beneficial as They hefe supposed TO
be by many of the people and some of the
profession. This led lie TO make thor
ongl study OF the action oil alcohol on the
human system. My first study was: In
what way does 1t act Does it really in
vigorate the vital forces or does il de
press them? Ny observations taught ME
That ii WAS only destructive to the vital
forces and not nh dsslsldnl. l then began
to look up the opinions and investigation
Of our most eminent physicians and chem
lists, and found their opinions somewhat
varied as to what really WAS the true ac
ton of alcohol on the human body. But
. to get il fairly before us, will quote from
DR.. Roth's writings:
"Ligat pine wood fire in an air-tighl
stove; when burning briskly iltow .
B uunnlily Of alcohol into the fire. The nl
t cohol will burn up as quickly ms oxygeI
: can he furnished, with mn enormous fam
4 and heat but. wlien the alcohol ha
II burned up, the fire is at once allogehe
u orti leaving the charred pine wood whic'
:, has been robbed OF its oxygen Tor com
bustion. The very snme occtlrs Ill on
blood from the rresente of alcohol. II
n not, therefore, the presence OF alcohol tina
II inioxicales, hit the Absence Of OEygeI
u which in caused by the tod rapid c0mbu'
ton when alcohol is taken INTO the ky
!, tenn. Small doses OF alcohol increai
n combustion, consequently predicting mo
immediate heat and more cellular activii
but IN the degtee that the alcoholic al
y sorption il increased and the oxyge
=. "a which cannot pe furnished so QUICK ly
he the lungs; ia decreased, the combustion
he carbun ceases. Therefore, the blood OF
ip drunken man 10 almost black the nlcoll
he having interrupted the Regular cellu
ed action, the celia OF the brain first lot
nm their nourishment aud give up, all mott
nu becoming irregular uhlil prevented;
,st drunken man is then insehsible aud C
1 | be considered IN form OF death until
lily alcohol IA thrown ont by the excremen
U, lious functions and the newly Absorb
TO oxygen begins agnin to kihdle up II
combustion OF the extinguished nialeri
Gradually the cells begin 10 act nga
reason returns, afterwards motion, but
'al .oan ia long time before lie appetite ieiui
nI The stbinach teliises all food until c,
,ars bustlOn 10 in full action again. When
we'll drunken sup or is of, lie chilS with
has and seeks The fireplace in the hot
Ieso weather; his nerves shake IRON the
pro- cesslye strain they have endured
urea mouth il dry, 20 is his stomach h
~" ,.' lile ed but cannot sleep; hia eyes are
NV nv vet constantly open; his skin is cold
dry, his pulss weak AID quick all